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Statement of EDF’s David Festa on the Designation of the Colorado River Basin as a Critical Conservation Area

May 27, 2014

Contact:

Chandler Clay, 202-572-3312, cclay@edf.org

Today, the
U.S. Department of Agriculture designated the Colorado River Basin as a
Critical Conservation Area (CCA) under the 2014 Farm Bill’s Regional
Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).

“This marks
a new era in American conservation efforts, as it will expand opportunities for
agricultural producers to keep working lands healthy while reducing impacts on
climate, wildlife habitat and water.Particularly, this designation helps fill a
critical need across the Colorado River Basin for improved irrigation
infrastructure and efficiencies that benefit the producer’s bottom line
and provide potential to keep more water in rivers.

“We must
ensure the continued productivity of agriculture and sustainable growth in
cities, while also protecting the $26 billion recreational economy that depends
on a healthy Colorado River. I applaud Senators Udall and Bennet and
Congressman Tipton for their leadership and thank our agricultural and
conservation partners for coming together to work towards this shared goal, especially
in the face of a hotter and drier future for the American West.”

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